Laura Tenison, founder of the baby clothing retailer JoJo Maman Bebe, was last night presented with the Veuve Clicquot businesswoman of the year award at a reception in London.

Ms Tenison, who became the 37th winner of the UK version of the award, started her business in 1993. JoJo Maman Bebe, based in Newport, Gwent, has 27 shops and employs more than 300 people.

She said: “When I consider the remarkable achievements of the former winners and my fellow nominees, it is a real privilege and an honour to win this award.

“I am delighted to follow in the footsteps of such an esteemed list of highly talented business people who are an inspiration to woman everywhere.”

Previous winners of the prize include the former London 2012 Olympics bid chairman Barbara Cassini and Dame Marjorie Scardino, chief executive of FTSE 100-listed Pearson.

The organisers of the award said they were looking for a businesswoman who had demonstrated commitment to corporate and social responsibility.

Organisers said Ms Tenison's company had a “deep involvement” with the Nema Foundation, a charity that works to relieve poverty in Mozambique. A spokeswoman for the charity said JoJo Maman Bebe had funded the building of two schools.